6 Things That Make a Good Neighborhood Great
Not all neighborhoods are created equal. How do you find a great neighborhood for your family, especially now when home inventories are at record lows? What should you look for in a neighborhood? Many things can make a neighborhood good like attractive homes and steady home values. While no two neighborhoods are going to be exactly alike, the best ones tend to share the same critically important characteristics. So just what is it that makes for a good neighborhood?
1. Homeowners Care About Their Neighborhood & Their Neighbors
One of the most important qualities of a good neighborhood is that the residents care about the neighborhood and want to see it develop into something special. This means folks own their homes and take a sense of pride in ownership. The homeowners in the area care about their community, and they want to contribute to make it a better place to live.
It’s easy to care about your neighborhood and your neighbors at Lilyana by Hillwood. The master-planned community in Celina, TX is made to be walkable so neighbors can meet each other on their way to the pool, heading to the fishing pond, or while walking the dog. It’s not unusual for neighbors to meet at the outdoor kitchen and event pavilion and enjoy fellowship while their kids play at the parks and playgrounds. That’s all part of the design at Lilyana.
2. Outdoor Recreational Opportunities
Another aspect of what makes a good neighborhood is plenty of places for recreation. Outdoor activities are a great way to get exercise, meet your neighbors, and improve your mental health. In fact, studies have shown that those who have high exposure to green space have better psychiatric health, while those without green space nearby are 55% more likely to develop mental disorders. It’s clear that having natural beauty near your home is good for your health.
Lilyana offers many opportunities for fun outdoor activities including:
- Miles of paths for biking and walking
- Multiple parks
- Outdoor pavilion and kitchen
- A catch and release fishing pond
- A luxury swimming pool
Opening soon is Bluebonnet Park, which will offer an outdoor pavilion, sports courts, a children’s play area, and more.
3. Superior Schools
If you have kids, the local school system is probably high on the list of must-haves when looking for a good neighborhood. You want to make sure your children are getting the education and support they need at school. Not only that, but homes within good school districts tend to have higher resale values.
Lilyana is located within the award-winning Prosper ISD, which is known for academic excellence and commitment to student success. The district currently ranks as one of the best in Texas. In the near future, Lilyana will be home to a new on-site Prosper ISD elementary school making it extra convenient for kids to walk or bike to school.
4. Proximity to Amenities
Speaking of convenience, proximity to important services and amenities is another essential quality of the perfect neighborhood. Master-planned communities like Lilyana are ideal for walkability since it’s one of the main tenets of the design. Pathways and roads are designed to accommodate pedestrian traffic and minimize congestion from vehicles, all while keeping local amenities within convenient walking distance of everyone in the neighborhood.
Besides having easy access to our on-site amenities, Lilyana’s great location in Celina, TX means residents can also easily reach Frisco’s “$5 Billion Mile” which is just 10 miles away. It takes a short drive to reach the city’s offerings like entertainment, shopping, restaurants, medical care, businesses, sports venues, and much more.
5. Safety
Naturally, you want your neighborhood to be safe. A local crime rate is a good indicator of the neighborhood’s quality, with a low or decreasing rate showing improvement in the area as a whole.
For instance, Lilyana is located in Celina, Texas, which has an A+ rating when it comes to local crime rates. That top rating means it is safer than the majority of cities throughout the U.S., with Celina’s total crime being about 70% below the national average. In addition, crimes are currently decreasing in the area by 23% per year, meaning it’s still improving as a community.
6. In Sync with Your Lifestyle
Finally, the perfect neighborhood is not only going to be objectively good in terms of amenities, walkability, schools, etc., but it will also be a subjectively good match for you and your family. Each person has their own preferences and lifestyle, after all, and you want your community to match what you value most. The best communities often cater to specific interests.
Each of our communities is designed around common interests and lifestyles that bring people together. For instance, Lilyana is the ideal place for those with an active lifestyle since it provides plenty of opportunities for walking through nature, fishing, swimming, or just getting together for a picnic outside. You’ll find people with shared interests and enjoy time with like-minded neighbors.
Looking for a Great Neighborhood? Lilyana Has it All!
If you’re currently in the market for a new home, Lilyana by Hillwood has all the makings of a great neighborhood. From excellent outdoor amenities to thoughtful neighborhood design, we take pride in providing one of the best master-planned communities in North Texas. To learn more about our community, get in touch today!
Reasons to Go Fishing – Why You Should Take Up Fishing as a Hobby
Why is fishing fun? Those who don’t fish may wonder. Many people fish for the thrill of landing a big catch. Others simply want to relax and get away from everything for a few hours.
Recreational fishing has become highly popular, with 37% of Americans going fishing at least four times per year. The number of youths who went fishing between the years of 2006 and 2019 totaled over 10.85 million, making it a truly popular sport among all ages.
But why do people fish? The reasons to go fishing aren’t complicated. Some people fish because it’s so doggone relaxing and others do because it’s an easy hobby to pick up. There’s no doubt, fishing is a great pastime that offers many benefits.
Benefits of Fishing as a Hobby
Let’s talk about some of the great things about cultivating a fishing hobby. Fishing can lead to improved health, support conservation efforts, and help kids develop important skills.
Relieve Stress
One of the health benefits of fishing comes from its potential to relieve stress. Simply being out in nature can help reduce levels of stress hormones. According to a study published in 2018, people who spend time in wilderness settings report much lower levels of stress than those in more urbanized areas.
The act of fishing also entails focusing on a single task. This mental focus takes your mind away from the pressures of daily life and can induce a quasi-meditative state of mind that further helps relieve stress.
Increase Vitamin D
When you sit outside at the fishing hole you are getting some sunlight, even if it’s a cloudy day. Being outside fishing for a few hours can help your body get some much-needed vitamin D3, which can lift your spirits and fend off depression.
Fund Conservation Efforts
Aside from the health benefits of fishing, it also helps the environment. Fishing licenses fund many wilderness conservation efforts, including fish stocking in ponds, land conservation, and wildlife management. Your purchase of a fishing license helps make Texas a better place for everyone to live.
Fishing Is Good for Your Kids
Finally, fishing is great for your kids! They can learn many useful skills through fishing, including:
- Perseverance
- Patience
- Self-confidence
- Coordination and motor planning
- Independence
In addition, it helps your kids develop an appreciation for nature that will stick with them for the rest of their lives.
Recreational Fishing Basics
Now that you know the reasons why you should start fishing as a hobby, let’s go over the basics you’ll need to get started. It’s fun and easy to learn!
Catch and Release Fishing
Many fishing holes are catch and release, meaning if you catch a fish, you have to release it shortly afterward. Catch and release helps preserve fish populations in heavily fished areas.
When releasing a fish, make sure to gently remove your hook and release it back into the water as quickly as possible. Doing so helps increase its chances of survival.
Equipment Needed to Get Started Fishing
In terms of equipment, the first thing you’ll need is a fishing license. A license can be purchased online or through local retailers. Kids under the age of 17 or people with disabilities fishing under the supervision of a licensed angler aren’t required to get licenses.
In addition to a license, you’ll need the following starting equipment:
- A durable fishing rod and reel
- Hooks
- Fishing line
- Bait or lures
- Bobbers (also called floaters)
- Sinkers (which stabilize your hook)
- Swivels (which allow certain lures to spin freely)
- Needle nose pliers
- A knife or pair of clippers
- A tackle box to keep everything together
You might upgrade your kit as you go, but this is enough to get you started. Some ready-made kits come with knots already tied, which is a bonus for a beginner.
Ask Local Experts
Finally, it helps to ask local experts about fishing in your area. They’ll have experience on what types of lures or techniques work best, the best places to fish, and the best time of day. The right techniques depend on the fish and climate in your area, so it’s definitely worth chatting a bit with experienced anglers before you go.
Great Places to Fish in North Texas
You don’t have to go out for a weekend-long trip to go fishing in Texas. In the Dallas-Fort Worth area alone, there are over 50 different fishing ponds, all within easy access.
Some popular catch and release spots in Collin County can be found here.
A list of additional spots around Dallas-Fort Worth can be found here.
Love Fishing? Check Out Our Community!
If you love fishing—or if you’re wanting to start—and if you are looking for a great place to live, Lilyana by Hillwood is the perfect place to be! One of our most popular amenities is our catch and release fishing pond! Lilyana also offers miles of hiking trails, a beautiful pool, an outdoor kitchen and pavilion, and acres of lush green spaces. Contact us to learn more about our homes and community.